Graeme Swann regrets the absence of England's premier cheerleader 'Billy the Trumpet' for his home Ashes Test - but has reluctantly accepted the decision to ban musical instruments at Trent Bridge.

Swann describes it as a
"shame" 'Barmy Army' trumpeter Billy Cooper will not be allowed to
serenade England's Test cricketers, as he has so often and memorably elsewhere
in the world, in this week's first match of the Investec series.

Nottinghamshire have been sticklers
in the policy they share with Lord's - venue for the second Ashes Test next
week - to keep all musical instruments outside the ground, and have made it
abundantly clear they will not be changing their tune.

England and Nottinghamshire
off-spinner Swann said: "Personally I think it is a shame.

"I know the whole team are
behind Billy, and the Barmy Army are a massive part of the English team."

Several of Swann's team-mates used
their Twitter accounts to try to lobby the administrators at Trent Bridge to
have a rethink.

But it has become clear there will
not be, and the man whose timely tunes have accompanied many of England's most
memorable triumphs home and abroad will be silenced in Nottingham.

Swann added: "Nottinghamshire
have their rules - as Lord's do, I think.

"It's a shame in this day and
age they can't be bent for this occasion.